Post HOPS - in Bellingham

 

As always, HOPS did not disappoint. Two days of great philosophical fun focused around the theme of  "the future."  I started things off with a talk on the frames of Parmenides and  Phaedo which will be parts of two chapters of my book.   HOPS has such a great format.  5000 words.  No commentator. There's really pretty much enough time for everyone who wants to ask a question to ask one, so you get a lot of great feedback.  Generally also, the group is small enough that there is not a lot of social splintering off and you feel like you can talk to anyone, which is refreshing from some of the bigger conferences  where you can often feel left out socially if you haven't made specific plans with your various clans. 

I missed it last year and it was great to be back. 

Seattle is also in full bloom. Gorgeous flowering trees everywhere. 

Since I was within 90 miles of the family in Bellingham,  I arranged my schedule to spend a couple days up here.  I picked up the rental car Sunday morning and drove up. I went to visit Dad on the way in. Then, ran some errands in  with Christina and then Christina and Kelly and I went to Larrabee State Park. They were trying to take me to a different place near the park, but we ended up at the same place that Jeff and I visited back in COVID summer.  It was really a beautiful sunny day and glorious to be outside.  The tide pools were really cool.  I was a bit hindered by my current physical limitations in terms of bending down and getting close in to see things and I was a little worried about balancing on wet rocks, but  it was still really cool  and I was grateful to still be able to do all that  I can do.   (It was hard not being able to keep up with the group walking to dinner also. Hopefully,  I will continue to get better.)   Then, Christina and I picked up some pizza and salad  and had dinner with Dad.  Then, we watched a Designated Survivor episode. Very nuclear family time. 

Today,  I went to a Zoom interview with a job candidate in the early morning, then I took Christina's yoga class which was build up to inversions.   Now,  I'm over at Dad's.  Helped him change clothes for his upcoming hair cut and  will  zoom into a research talk in a few minutes.   Then,  Christina and I will take him for his monthly  barber appointment. 

Brief trip.  But school is still in session, so this is the best I could manage schedule wise.